Multi-mode lighter

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a lighter including a housing having a supply of fuel, an actuating member extending from the housing and being movable to selectively perform at least one step in igniting the fuel, and an inhibiting member extending from the housing. Moving the inhibiting member a predetermined distance resists, obstructs and/or prevents the actuating member from performing at least one step in igniting the fuel. For example, moving the inhibiting member the predetermined distance may resist and/or prevent movement of the actuating member, may obstruct and/or prevent the release of fuel, and/or may resist and/or prevent the creation of a spark to ignite the fuel. Various other features which improve the functioning of the lighter may be provided separately or in combination.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/647,505, filed Aug. 26, 2003, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/389,975,filed Mar. 18, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent Ser.No. 10/085,045, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,469, filed Mar. 1, 2002, whichis a continuation-in-part of both U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/817,278 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/819,021, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,488,492, both of which were filed on Mar. 27, 2001, and bothof which are continuation-in-part applications of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/704,689, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,515, filed Nov.3, 2000. The contents of these six applications are expresslyincorporated herein by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to lighters such as pocketlighters used to light cigarettes and cigars, or utility lighters usedto ignite candles, barbecue grills, fireplaces and campfires, and moreparticularly to such lighters which resist inadvertent operation orundesirable operation by unintended users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighters used for igniting tobacco products, such as cigars, cigarettes,and pipes, have developed over a number of years. Typically, theselighters use either a rotary friction element or a piezoelectric elementto generate a spark near a nozzle which emits fuel from a fuelcontainer. Piezoelectric mechanisms have gained universal acceptancebecause they are simple to use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,697 (“the '697patent”) to Meury discloses one such piezoelectric mechanism, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Lighters have also evolved from small cigarette or pocket lighters toseveral forms of extended or utility lighters. These utility lightersare more useful for general purposes, such as lighting candles, barbecuegrills, fireplaces and campfires. Earlier attempts at such designsrelied simply on extended actuating handles to house a typical pocketlighter at the end. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,259,059 and 4,462,791 containexamples of this concept.

Many pocket and utility lighters have had some mechanism for resistingundesired operation of the lighter by young children. For example,pocket and utility lighters have included a spring-biased blocking latchwhich arrests or prevents movement of the actuator or push-button. U.S.Pat. No. 5,145,358 to Shike et al., discloses an example of suchlighters.

There remains a need for lighters which resist inadvertent operation orundesirable operation by unintended users, but which provide eachintended user with a consumer-friendly method of operating the lightersso that the lighters appeal to a variety of intended users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a lighter including a housinghaving a supply of fuel, an actuating member extending from the housing,the actuating member movable to selectively perform at least one step inigniting the fuel, and an inhibiting member extending from the housing.Moving the inhibiting member a predetermined distance may resist,obstruct and/or prevent the actuating member from performing at leastone step in igniting the fuel. For example, moving the inhibiting memberthe predetermined distance may resist, obstruct and/or prevent theactuating member from moving sufficiently to perform at least one stepin igniting the fuel. Alternatively or additionally, moving theinhibiting member the predetermined distance may resist, obstruct and/orprevent the actuating member from releasing the fuel. Further,alternatively or additionally, moving the inhibiting member thepredetermined distance may resist, obstruct and/or prevent the actuatingmember from creating a spark to ignite the fuel.

The actuating member may be movable in a first direction, and theinhibiting member may be movable in a second direction that issubstantially opposite the first direction. Additionally oralternatively, the actuating member may be movable along a first axisand the inhibiting member may be movable along a second axis that issubstantially parallel to the first axis. The housing may include aproximal end and a distal end, and the inhibiting member may extend fromthe proximal end, although other locations are contemplated. Theproximal end may be substantially blunt and/or planar, although othershapes are contemplated. The actuating member may be movable along afirst axis, and at least a portion of the proximal end may besubstantially normal to the first axis. According to one aspect of theinvention, an enlarged contact surface may be associated with theinhibiting member. The contact surface may cover greater than about halfof the proximal end of the housing, or alternatively, may coversubstantially all of the proximal end of the housing. The contactsurface and at least a portion of the inhibiting member may bemonolithic, or alternatively, may be formed separately. According to oneembodiment, the contact surface is a beam that acts on the inhibitingmember. The beam may be pivotally or hingedly connected to the housingby a pivot member. Alternatively, the beam may be a cantilever beamassociated with the inhibiting member. Additionally or alternatively,the lighter may include a wand member extending from the distal end ofthe housing, and the wand member may optionally be pivotable between anopen position and a closed position.

The lighter may additionally or alternatively include a latch membermovable by a user to selectively change the actuating member from ahigh-force mode to a low-force mode. A first actuating force may berequired to move the actuating member to perform at least one step inigniting the fuel when the actuating member is in the high-force mode,and a second actuating force may be required to move the actuatingmember to perform at least one step in igniting the fuel when theactuating member is in the low-force mode, with the first actuatingforce being greater than the second actuating force.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thelighter may include a housing having a supply of fuel, a valve operableto release the fuel, an ignition mechanism operable to create a spark toignite the fuel, an actuating member extending from the housing, whereinmoving the actuating member a first distance operates the valve and/orthe ignition mechanism, and an inhibiting member extending from thehousing and movable between a first position and a second position,wherein when the inhibiting member is in the first position, theactuating member is capable of moving the first distance, and when theinhibiting member is in the second position, the actuating member isresisted and/or prevented from moving the first distance, further,wherein the inhibiting member is biased toward the first position. Aresilient or elastic member may be provided for biasing the inhibitingmember toward the first position. When the inhibiting member is in thesecond position, the actuating member may be capable of moving a seconddistance that is less than the first distance. Alternatively, theactuating member may be substantially blocked from movement when theinhibiting member is in the second position. The lighter may furtherinclude a blocking member associated with the inhibiting member, and theblocking member may engage the actuating member when the inhibitingmember is in the second position. The inhibiting member and the blockingmember may be monolithic, or alternatively, may be formed as separatepieces. The blocking member may be disposed in a cavity in the actuatingmember.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thelighter may include a housing having a supply of fuel in communicationwith a nozzle, an ignition mechanism operable to create a spark toignite the fuel proximate the nozzle, an actuating member extending fromthe housing and movable to release the fuel from the supply of fuel, andan inhibiting member extending from the housing and biased to a firstposition, wherein the inhibiting member is movable to a second positionto resist, obstruct and/or prevent the ignition and/or the release offuel from the nozzle. The lighter may further include an elastic elementfor biasing the inhibiting member to the first position. Additionally oralternatively, the lighter may include a conduit extending from thesupply of fuel to the nozzle, and the fuel may be obstructed fromflowing through at least a portion of the conduit when the inhibitingmember is in the second position. For example, a piston may beassociated with the conduit, and the piston may obstruct the fuel fromflowing through at least a portion of the conduit when the inhibitingmember is in the second position. The piston may be disposed within theconduit, although other configurations are contemplated. The lighter mayfurther include a junction connecting a first portion of the conduit toa second portion of the conduit, and the piston may be disposed withinthe junction. The piston may be normally biased toward a first positionin which the fuel flows through the junction. For example, an elasticelement may be provided to bias the piston toward the first position.Moving the inhibiting member to the second position may move the pistonto a second position in which fuel is obstructed and/or prevented fromflowing through the junction.

According to still another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the lighter may include a housing having a supply of fuel, anozzle for releasing the fuel, an electrical circuit having a spark gapproximate the nozzle, an ignition mechanism for creating a spark acrossthe spark gap, an actuating member extending from the housing andmovable to operate the ignition mechanism, and an inhibiting memberextending from the housing and movable from a first position where aportion of the electrical circuit (e.g., a switch) is closed to a secondposition where the portion of the electrical circuit is open. Theinhibiting member may be biased to the first position, for example by anelastic element. The lighter may further include a first electricalpathway extending from the ignition mechanism to a first terminal of thespark gap, and a second electrical pathway extending from the ignitionmechanism to a second terminal of the spark gap, and at least one of thefirst and second electrical pathways may be opened when the inhibitingmember is in the second position. The lighter may also include a switchlocated in at least one of the first and second electrical pathways, andthe switch may be closed when the inhibiting member is in the firstposition, and the switch may be open when the inhibiting member is inthe second position. The actuating member may be operable to release thefuel from the nozzle, although other configurations are contemplated.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the lighter may include a housing having a supply of fuel, a nozzle forreleasing the fuel, an ignition mechanism connectable to a firstelectrical circuit and a second electrical circuit, the first electricalcircuit having a first spark gap proximate the nozzle, an actuatingmember extending from the housing and movable to operate the ignitionmechanism, and an inhibiting member extending from the housing andmovable between a first position where energy generated by the ignitionmechanism travels through the first electrical circuit and a secondposition where energy generated by the ignition mechanism travelsthrough the second electrical circuit, wherein the inhibiting member isbiased toward the first position. Operation of the ignition mechanismmay create a spark across the first spark gap when the inhibiting memberis in the first position. The first electrical circuit may have a firstresistance and the second electrical circuit may have a secondresistance, wherein the second resistance is greater than the firstresistance when the inhibiting member is in the first position, and thesecond resistance is less than the first resistance when the inhibitingmember is in the second position. The second electrical circuit may havea second spark gap when the inhibiting member is in the first position,and the second spark gap may be larger than the first spark gap. Aportion of the inhibiting member may close the second spark gap when theinhibiting member is in the second position. For example, a conductivestrip may be associated with the inhibiting member, and the conductivestrip may close the second spark gap when the inhibiting member is inthe second position. The first electrical circuit may be closed when theinhibiting member is in the first position, and/or the second electricalcircuit may be closed when the inhibiting member is in the secondposition. Additionally or alternatively, the first electrical circuitmay be open when the inhibiting member is in the second position. Thefirst electrical circuit may include the second electrical circuit.Movement of the actuating mechanism may release the fuel from thenozzle, although other configurations are contemplated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present invention are disclosed in theaccompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denotesimilar elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away, side view of a utility lighter according to oneillustrative embodiment of the present invention, shown with variouscomponents removed, wherein the lighter is in an initial state, a wandassembly is in a closed position, and a actuating member and latchmember are in initial states, and a plunger member is in ahigh-actuation-force position;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of several componentsof a fuel supply unit for use in the lighter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is an enlarged, cut-away, side view of a rear portion of theutility lighter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a partial, side view of the lighter of FIG. 1, shown withvarious components removed, wherein the actuating member and latchmember are in initial states, and the plunger member is in ahigh-actuation-force position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of various componentsof the lighter of FIG. 1, shown without a housing;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of anotherillustrative embodiment of the plunger member and a piston member foruse with the lighter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, side view of the components of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial, side view of the lighter of FIG. 1,where the plunger member is in the high-actuation-force position and theactuating member is in the initial position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial, side view of the lighter of FIG. 1,where the plunger member is in the high-actuation-force position and theactuating member is in a depressed position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial, side view of the lighter of FIG. 1,where the latch member is depressed, the plunger member is in alow-actuation-force position and the actuating member is in the initialposition;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial, side view of the lighter of FIG. 1,where the latch member is depressed, the plunger member is in thelow-actuation-force position and the actuating member is in thedepressed position;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, partial, perspective view of the lighter of FIG.1 showing the housing and the wand assembly separated;

FIG. 9A is an exploded, partial, perspective view of various componentsof the wand assembly for use with the lighter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, partial, side view of a front portion of thelighter of FIG. 1 showing the wand assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged, partial, side view of the front portion of thelighter of FIG. 10 showing the wand assembly partially-extended andpivoted by about 20°;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, partial, side view of the front portion of thelighter of FIG. 10 showing the wand assembly partially-extended andpivoted by about 45°;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, partial, side view of the front portion of thelighter of FIG. 10 showing the wand assembly partially-extended andpivoted by about 90°;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, partial, side view of the front portion of thelighter of FIG. 10 showing the wand assembly fully-extended;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, partial, side view of the front portion of thelighter of FIG. 10 showing the wand assembly partially-extended andpivoted by about 135°;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, perspective view of a cam follower of thelighter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a cut-away, side view of a utility lighter according to asecond illustrative embodiment of the present invention, shown withvarious components removed, and shown with the actuating member in aninitial position and an inhibiting member in a first or rest position;

FIG. 17 is a partial, side view of the lighter of FIG. 16, shown withvarious components removed, and shown with the actuating member in theinitial position and the inhibiting member in the first position;

FIG. 17A is an enlarged, detail view of the actuating member and othercomponents shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a partial, side view of the lighter of FIG. 16, shown withvarious components removed, and shown with the actuating member in theinitial position and the inhibiting member is a second or depressedposition;

FIG. 18A is an enlarged, detail view of the actuating member and othercomponents shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 19 is a partial, side view of an alternative embodiment of thelighter of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged, partial, side view of an end portion of anotheralternative embodiment of the lighter of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, partial, side view of the end portion of yetanother alternative embodiment of the lighter of FIG. 16;

FIG. 22 is a partial, side, schematic representation of a utilitylighter according to a third illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, shown with various components removed, and shown with theinhibiting member in a first or rest position;

FIG. 22A is a partial, side, schematic representation of the lighter ofFIG. 22, shown with various components removed, and shown with theinhibiting member in a second or depressed position;

FIG. 23 is a partial, side, schematic representation of a utilitylighter according to a fourth illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, shown with various components including the actuating memberremoved, and shown with the inhibiting member is a first or restposition;

FIG. 23A is a partial, side, schematic representation of the utilitylighter of FIG. 23, shown with various components removed, and shownwith the inhibiting member in a second or depressed position;

FIG. 24 is a partial, side, schematic representation of a utilitylighter according to a fifth illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, shown with various components including the actuating memberand fuel supply removed, and shown with the inhibiting member is a firstor rest position;

FIG. 24A is a partial, side, schematic representation of the utilitylighter of FIG. 24, shown with various components removed, and shownwith the inhibiting member in a second or depressed position;

FIG. 25 is a partial, side, schematic representation of a utilitylighter according to a sixth illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, shown with various components including the actuating member,fuel supply, and housing removed, and shown with the inhibiting memberis a first or rest position;

FIG. 25A is a partial, side, schematic representation of the utilitylighter of FIG. 25, shown with various components removed, and shownwith the inhibiting member in a second or depressed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a utility lighter 2 constructed inaccordance with the present invention is shown with the understandingthat those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize manymodifications and substitutions which may be made to various elements.While the invention will be described with reference to a utilitylighter, one of ordinary skill in the art could readily adapt theteaching to conventional pocket lighters and the like.

Lighter 2 generally includes a housing 4 which may be formed primarilyof molded-rigid-polymer or plastic materials such as acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene terpolymer or the like. The housing 4 may also beformed of two-parts that are joined together by techniques known bythose of ordinary skill in the art, such as ultrasonic welding.

Housing 4 includes various support members, such as support member 4 adiscussed below. Further support members are provided in the lighter 2for various purposes, such as supporting components or directing thetravel path of components. The housing 4 further includes a handle 6,which forms a first end 8 and a second end 9 of the housing. A wandassembly 10, as discussed in detail below, is pivotally connected to thesecond end 9 of the housing.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, and 1B, handle 6 preferably contains a fuelsupply unit 11 that includes a fuel supply container or main body 12, avalve actuator 14, a jet and valve assembly 15, a spring 16, a guide 18,and a retainer 20. The container 12 supports the other components of thefuel supply unit 11 and defines a fuel compartment 12 a and a chamber 12b, and further includes a pair of spaced support members 12 c extendingupward from the top edge thereof. The support members 12 c defineopenings 12 d. The fuel compartment 12 a contains fuel F, which may becompressed hydrocarbon gas, such as butane or a propane and butanemixture, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a valve actuator 14 is rotatably supportedon the compartment 12 below the support members 12 c. The valve actuator14 is connected to a jet and valve assembly 15 that includes a jet orvalve stem 15 a and an electrode 15 b. The electrode 15 b is optional.The jet and valve assembly 15 is a normally open valve design, andclosed by the pressure of a spring member 16 on valve actuator 14.Alternatively, a jet and valve assembly with a normally closed valvedesign can also be used.

A suitable fuel supply unit 11 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,895(“the '895 patent”), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. An alternative arrangement for the fuelsupply unit 11 that can be used is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,197(“the '197 patent”) or U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,719 (“the '719 patent”), thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.The fuel supply units disclosed in the above patents can be used withall of the disclosed components or with various components removed, suchas windshields, latch springs, latches, and the like, as desired by oneof ordinary skill in the art. Alternative arrangements of the fuelsupply unit can be used.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the guide 18 with walls to define a slot 18 a andprojections 18 b. When the lighter is assembled, the guide 18 isdisposed between the support members 12 c, and the support members 12 cflex outward to accommodate the guide 18. Once the projections 18 b arealigned with the openings 12 d, the support members 12 c may return totheir vertical, initial positions. The interaction between theprojections 18 b and the openings 12 d allow the guide 18 to be retainedwithin the main body 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the retainer 20 includes a front portion20 a that defines a bore 20 b and a L-shaped rearward portion 20 c. Afuel connector 22 is disposed on the top of jet 15 a and receives a fuelconduit 23 therein. The connector 22, however, is optional and if notused the conduit 23 can be disposed on the jet 15 a directly.

The retainer 20 properly positions fuel conduit 23 with respect to thejet and valve assembly 15 by receiving conduit 23 through the bore 20 bso that the conduit 23 is within the connector 22. Details of theconduit 23 will be discussed below. The rearward portion 20 c of theretainer 20 is disposed within the slot 18 a of the guide 18. Theretainer 20 and guide 18 may be configured so that these componentssnap-fit together so that the conduit 23 is properly positioned withrespect to the jet and valve assembly 15. The guide 18 and retainer 20are optional and the housing 4 or other components of the lighter can beused to support and position the connector 22 and the conduit 23. Inaddition, the guide and retainer 20 may be configured differently solong as they function to locate connector 22 and conduit 23 to jet 15 a.

The container 12, guide 18, retainer 20, and connector 22 may be madewith plastic material. However, the valve actuator 14, valve stem 15 a,and electrode 15 b are preferably formed of electrically conductivematerials. The fuel supply unit 11 can be a preassembled unit that mayinclude the fuel supply container 12, the jet and valve assembly 15, andthe biased valve actuator 14. When the fuel supply unit 11 is disposedwithin the lighter, the housing support member 4 a aids in locating andmaintaining the position of the unit 11, as shown in FIG. 1. The housingsupport member 4 b aids in positioning the retainer 20.

Referring again to FIG. 1, lighter 2 also includes an actuating member25 which facilitates movement of the valve actuator 14 to selectivelyrelease fuel F. In this embodiment, the actuating member alsoselectively activates an ignition assembly 26 for igniting the fuel.Alternatively, the actuating member may perform either the fuel releaseor ignition function, and another mechanism or assembly may perform theother function. It is also possible for the actuating member to be partof an actuating assembly.

Referring to FIG. 11B, although not necessary for all aspects of thisinvention, an electric ignition assembly such as a piezoelectricmechanism is the preferred ignition assembly 26. The ignition assemblymay alternatively include other electronic ignition components, such asshown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,820 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,169, a sparkwheel and flint assembly or other well-known mechanisms in the art forgenerating a spark or igniting fuel. The ignition assembly mayalternatively include a battery having, for example, a coil connectedacross its terminals. The piezoelectric mechanism may be the typedisclosed in the '697 patent. Piezoelectric mechanism 26 has beenillustrated in FIG. 11B schematically and particularly described in the'697 patent.

The piezoelectric unit 26 includes an upper portion 26 a and a lowerportion 26 b that slide with respect to each other along a common axis.A coil spring or return spring 30 is positioned between the upper andlower portions 26 a, 26 b of piezoelectric unit. The return spring 30serves to resist the compression of piezoelectric unit, and whenpositioned in the actuating member 25 resists the depression ofactuating member 25. The lower portion 26 b of piezoelectric unit isreceived in cooperating chamber 12 b in fuel supply unit 11.

The piezoelectric unit 26 further includes an electrical contact or cammember 32 fixedly connected to the upper portion 26 a. In the initialposition, the portions 26 a and 26 b are separated by a gap X. The cammember 32 is formed of a conductive material. The upper portion 26 a iscoupled to actuating member 25. Spark conductor or wire 28 is partiallyinsulated and may be electrically connected with the electrical contact29 of the piezoelectric unit in any known manner.

As shown in FIG. 1, latch member 34 is on the top side of the handle 6and the actuating member 25 is opposite the latch member 34 near thebottom side of the handle 6. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the latch member 34generally includes an unsupported, movable, front end 36 which includesa downwardly extending boss 36 a and a rear end 38 pivotally fixed to ahinge 40 of the housing 4. One of ordinary skill in the art can readilyappreciate that latch member 34 also may be coupled to the housing inanother manner such as in a cantilevered fashion, slidably or rotatably.When the latch member 34 is slidable a cam may be used therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a leaf spring 42 includes a front end 42 aand a rear end 42 b. The leaf spring 42 is bent, as best seen in FIG. 4,so that the front end 42 a is spaced above the rear end 42 b. The shapeof the leaf spring can be modified such as being planar depending on thearrangement of the components in the lighter and the necessary spaceconsiderations. Alternatively, the leaf spring may be disposed in frontof latch member 34. In addition, the leaf spring may be replaced with acoil spring, a cantilever spring or any other biasing member suitablefor biasing the latch member 34.

Referring to FIG. 5, the rear end 42 b of the leaf spring 42 is disposedwithin the housing 4 between support members 4 c such that end 42 b iscoupled to the housing 4 such that spring 42 operates substantially likea cantilevered member. Due to the configuration, dimensions, andmaterial of the spring 42, the front end 42 a is free to move and isbiased upward to return the latch member front end 36 to its initialposition, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, unsupported front end 36 of latchmember 34 may be moved downwardly along with the front end 42 a ofspring 42.

Latch member 34 is preferably formed of plastic, while leaf spring 42 ispreferably manufactured from a metal having resilient properties, suchas spring steel, stainless steel, or from other types of materials. Itshould be noted that while leaf spring 42 is shown mounted to housing 4it may alternatively be coupled to other components of the lighter.

Referring to FIG. 1, further details of the actuating member 25, willnow be discussed. Actuating member 25 is preferably slidably coupled tohousing 4. The actuating member 25 and housing 4 may be configured anddimensioned so that movement of the actuating member forward or rearwardis limited. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that theactuating member can alternatively be coupled or connected to thehousing in another manner, such as in a pivotal, rotatable orcantilevered fashion. For example, the actuating member can be a linkagesystem or formed of two pieces, where one piece is slidably coupled tothe housing and the other piece pivots.

Turning again to FIG. 3, the actuating member 25 includes a lowerportion 44 and an upper portion 46. Referring to FIGS. 3-4, the lowerportion 44 includes a forward finger actuation surface 48, a firstchamber 50 (shown in phantom), and a second chamber 52 (shown inphantom). When the actuating member 25 is disposed within the housing 4,the finger actuation surface 48 extends from the housing so that it isaccessible by a user's finger (not shown).

In this embodiment, the actuating member 25 lower and upper portions areformed as a single piece. Alternatively, the upper and lower portionscan be two, separate pieces coupled together or the actuating member canbe part of a multiple piece unit.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first and second chambers 50 and 52 ofthe actuating member 25 are horizontally disposed. The first chamber 50is below the second chamber 52, and the first chamber 50 is configuredto receive an actuating member return spring 53. The spring 53 isdisposed between the actuating member 25 and a first spring stop portionor support member 4 d of the housing 4. Referring to FIG. 4, theactuating member 25 further includes an extension 54 extendingrearwardly from the lower portion 44. The second chamber 52 extends intothe extension 54. The second chamber 52 is configured to receive theignition assembly 26 (as shown in FIG. 1).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper portion 46 of the actuating member25 includes two L-shaped guides. In this embodiment the guides are sidecutouts, represented by cutout 56, in side wall 57. The cutout 56includes a first portion 56 a and a second portion 56 b in communicationwith the first portion 56 a. The second portion 56 b includes a wall 56c substantially parallel to vertical axis V. Vertical axis V isperpendicular to longitudinal axis L and transverse axis T (shown inFIG. 1). In this embodiment, the guides are cutouts but in anotherembodiment the actuating member can have solid side walls and the guidescan be formed on the inner surface of the side walls.

Referring to FIG. 3, the upper portion 46 of the actuating member alsoincludes a rear cutout 58 and slot 60 in an upper wall 61 of theactuating member. The upper portion 46 further includes a forwardlyextending engaging portion 62 with an engaging surface 62 a. Thefunction of the engaging portion 62 will be discussed in detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, in this embodiment the upper portion 46 ofthe actuating member 25 and the guides 56 form a portion of a dual-modeassembly. The dual-mode assembly also includes a plunger member 63 and apiston member 74. In this embodiment, the lower and upper portions 44and 46 of the actuating member are formed as a single piece. In anotherembodiment, the lower and upper portions 44 and 46 can be formed asseparate pieces and operatively connected together.

The plunger member 63 when installed in the lighter is disposed belowthe latch member 34. The plunger member 63 is substantially T-shapedwith a longitudinally extending body portion 64 and transverselyextending head portions 66. As best seen in FIG. 4, the head portions 66have a planar, front surface 66 a. Surface 66 a is generally parallel tovertical axis V, when plunger member 63 is installed within actuatingmember 25.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the body portion 64 includes two transverselyextending pins 68 at the rear end, a recess 70 on the upper surface, anda vertically extending projection 72 that extends from the bottomsurface of the body portion 64. Recess 70 is optional.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in alternative embodiments, the wall 56 c ofthe actuating member 25 and the wall 66 a of the plunger member 63 canbe configured differently. For example, walls may alternatively beangled with respect to vertical axis V. For example, walls 66 a and 56 cmay be angled to be substantially parallel to line A1, which isangularly offset from vertical axis V by angle β. Walls 66 a, 56 c mayalternatively be angled to be substantially parallel to line A2, whichis angularly offset from vertical axis V by angle θ. Alternatively, wall56 c can be configured to include a V-shaped notch and the wall 66 a caninclude a V-shaped projection to be received in notch of wall 56 c orvice versa.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the piston member 74 includes a rear portion76 and a front portion 78. The rear portion 76 includes a vertical rearwall 76 a for contacting a high-force spring or biasing member 80. Thespring 80 is disposed between the wall 76 a and the second spring stopportion or support member 4 e of the housing 4. Turning again to FIG. 4,the rear portion 76 further includes horizontal cutouts 76 b that definea stop member 76 c. The cutouts 76 b and stop member 76 c allow thepiston member 74 to be slidably mounted to rails (not shown) in thehousing and to allow the piston member 74 to slide longitudinally apredetermined distance so that the plunger member 63 can function asdiscussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the front portion 78 of the piston member 74includes two spaced apart arms 82. The arms 82 and front portion 78define a cutout 84 that receives the pins 68 of the plunger member 63.The cutout 84 and pins 68 of the plunger member 63 are configured anddimensioned to allow the plunger member 63 to pivot with respect to thepiston member 74, as discussed in detail below. In this embodiment, theplunger member 63 is pivotally connected to the piston member 74,however in another embodiment the plunger member 63 can be fixedlyconnected to the piston member 74 but be a resiliently deformable.

The front portion 78 of piston member 74 further includes a downwardlyextending support portion 86 that includes a horizontal platform 88 withan upwardly extending pin 90. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, when thepiston member 74 is assembled within the lighter, the platform 88 isdisposed through the rear cutout 58 of actuating member 25, and the pin90 may be aligned with the pin 72 of the plunger member 63 so that thepins 72, 90 retain a plunger return spring 92 there between. The plungermember 63 contacts the bottom surface of upper wall 61 (as shown in FIG.3) due to the return spring 92 that biases the plunger member upwardtoward an initial position.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a preferred embodiment of a plunger member 63′ anda piston member 74′ are shown for use with the lighter 2 of FIG. 1. Theplunger member 63′ is similar to plunger member 63 except the bodyportion 64′ includes a single central pin portion 68′ and a slot 68″.The piston member 74′ is similar to piston member 74 except the frontportion 78′ of the piston member 74′ includes a single arm 82′ fordefining a cutout 84′ for pivotally supporting the pin 68′ of theplunger member 63′. When the plunger member 63′ pivots downward the slot68″ receives the arm 82′.

Operation of the actuating member 25 will be discussed in detail belowwith reference to FIGS. 6-8. With reference to FIG. 9, according to afurther aspect of the lighter 2, it may include a wand assembly 10, thedetails of which will now be discussed. The wand assembly 10 may bemovably coupled to housing 4 and/or formed separately from housing 4.Wand assembly 10 may be pivoted between a first position or closedposition, shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 and a second or open or fully-extendedposition, shown in FIG. 13. In the closed position, the wand assembly 10is folded closely to housing 4 for convenient transportation and storageof lighter 2. In the fully-extended position, the wand assembly 10extends outward and away from housing 4.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 9A, wand assembly 10 includes wand 101 fixedlyconnected to a base member 102. The wand 101 is a cylindrical tube ofmetal that receives the conduit 23 (as shown in FIG. 1) and wire 28. Thewand 101 also includes a tab 101 a formed integrally therewith near thefree end of the wand. Alternatively, a separate tab may be associatedwith wand.

Referring again to FIGS. 9 and 9A, base member 102 is receivable in arecess 104 formed in the second end 9 of housing 4. Recess 104 islocated between the sides of housing 4, and therefore locates wandassembly 10 between these sides.

Base member 102 includes two body portions 106 a and b and is generallycylindrical and defines a bore 108. According to the embodiment shown,body portions 106 a and b define channels 106 c so that when the bodyportions 106 a and b are joined the channels 106 c define a chamber 107therein. One technique that can be used to join the base member piecesis ultrasonic welding. The present invention, however, is not limited tothis configuration or construction of base member 102.

Body portion 106 b defines an aperture 109 therein. As best seen in FIG.10, aperture 109 is an arcuate slot that extends through body portion106 b and is in communication with the channel 106 c and chamber 107 (asshown in FIG. 9) formed therein. The function of the arcuate slot 109will be discussed in detail below.

Referring again to FIG. 9, housing 4 includes a pair of axles 110 a and110 b formed on an inner surface 112 thereof. Axle 110 a is a malemember and axle 110 b is a female member. These axles 110 a,b may beconfigured and dimensioned so that they snap-fit together when joined.Alternatively, axles 110 a,b may be joined by ultrasonic welding orother methods of joining known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Inanother alternative, the axles 110 a,b may be spaced apart. Onceassembled, axles 110 a and 110 b extend into bore 108 to pivotallycouple wand assembly 10 to housing 4. Axles 110 thus define a pivot axisP about which wand assembly 10 pivots. The pivot axis P is preferablytransversely extending (i.e., extends from one side of the housing 4 tothe other, not vertically extending from) and is perpendicular to alongitudinal axis L, however other orientations of pivot axis P areincluded within the present invention. Housing 4 may also includesspacers 113 formed on the inner surface 112 of housing 4, to supportbase member 102 in recess 104. Base member 102 may also include a pairof optional frictional members on opposite sides thereof. For example, apair of rubber O-rings may be seated on opposite sides of base memberand rest against spacers 113. The optional frictional members may beused to provide resistance against pivoting of wand assembly 10 aboutpivot axis P.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the lighter housing 4 further includes avertical wall 4 f at the front end 9. The base member 102 furtherincludes a projection 106 d extending generally radially therefrom.Cooperation between the wall 4 f and the projection 106 d preventsmovement of the wand 101 in the direction W1 substantially beyond afully-extended position, shown in FIG. 13. Furthermore, when wandassembly 10 is in the fully-extended position, a slight clearance mayexist between vertical wall 4 f and projection 106 d of base member 102.

Referring to FIGS. 10-14, lighter 2 may be provided with a cam member116 that releasably positions or retains wand assembly 10 at variouspositions from the closed position (shown in FIG. 10) to thefully-extended position (shown FIG. 13), and at various intermediatepositions (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) there between. Cam follower 116also may prevent a user from moving, or more specifically sliding,actuating member 25 sufficiently to ignite lighter 2 when wand assembly10 is in the closed position of FIG. 10, and continues to prevent suchsufficient movement of the actuating member 25 until wand assembly 10has been pivoted to a predetermined position, such as a position about40° from closed, as discussed below. Such immobilization of actuatingmember 25 may prevent the ignition of the lighter by preventing fuelrelease, or flame ignition. Flame ignition may be prevented, forexample, by preventing creation of a spark.

Referring to FIG. 15, cam follower 116 is rotatably mounted on a boss117 (as best seen in FIG. 9) formed on housing 4. The cam follower 116includes a hub 118 and first and second engaging portions 119, 120extending from approximately opposite sides of the hub 118. Hub 118includes a bore 118 a for receiving boss 117. First portion 119 includesa follower end 122 for interacting with a camming surface 124 formed onbase member 102 (see FIG. 9). Second portion 120 includes a secondengaging surface 126 a for contacting first engaging surface 62 a (asshown in FIG. 10), which may be formed on actuating member 25. Whilefirst and second surfaces 62 a, 126 a are shown as portions of hooks 62,126, other forms of engaging surfaces known to one of ordinary skill inthe art are also within the scope of the present invention. Hook 126 mayalternatively engage with other elements of a lighter, such as a linkingmember, to prevent the creation a flame.

Referring again to FIG. 10, cam follower 116 is biased counter-clockwiseby a biasing member 128, shown as a compression spring, such thatfollower end 122 contacts and follows camming surface 124. A seat 130 isformed on housing 4 and a lug 132 (shown in FIG. 15) is formed on firstportion 119, to position biasing member 128 in place. The seat 130 andlug 132 may be formed on the opposite members in an alternativeembodiment. In addition, biasing member 128, although shown as a coilspring, may alternatively be a torsion spring or a leaf spring, or anyother type of biasing member known to be suitable by one of ordinaryskill in the art. Follower end 124 may alternatively be biased againstcamming surface 124 by providing a cam follower 116 with resilientproperties. For example, cam follower 116 may be a resilient member thatis compressed in housing 2 such that follower end 122 is resilientlybiased against camming surface 124.

Camming surface 124 is an undulating surface and includes a series offirst engaging portions 134 a-d, shown as detents 134 a-d. Firstengaging portions 134 a-d may engage a follower end 122 of the firstengaging portion 119. Detents 134 a-d are shown as indentations formedin base member 102, which may receive an outward protrusion on followerend 122 such that follower end 122 is displaced radially inward causingcam follower 116 to rotate clockwise about boss 117. In the embodimentshown, the first detent 134 a is a sloped cutout larger than theremaining detents 134 b-d, which are concave cutouts. The detent 134 aincludes a sloped surface portion 135 to provide a low pressure angle asfollower end 122 rides along camming surface 124 within the first detent134 a. As a result of this low pressure angle, biasing member 128 isgradually compressed as base member 102 is rotated clockwise andfollower end 122 moves from the first detent 134 a toward the seconddetent 134 b, thus providing a smooth and gradual feel to the user asthe wand assembly 10 is pivoted away from the closed position. This lowpressure angle also reduces wear and stresses on cam follower 116 andbase member 102.

The present invention is not to be limited to the shape andconfiguration of detents 134 a-d shown, and detents 134 a-d mayalternatively be, for example, bumps, ridges or protrusions formed onbase member 102 that engage follower end 122 and displace it radiallyoutward, causing cam follower to rotate counter-clockwise. The presentinvention is also not limited to the number and location of the detentsshown. Furthermore, the present invention is also not limited to theshape and configuration of cam follower 116 and ends 122 and 126. Theconfigurations of the cam follower 116, ends 122, 126 and detents 134a-d may change, for example, to vary the force necessary to move thewand assembly 10. The configurations of the cam follower 116, ends 122,126 and detents 134 a-d may also change, for example, to vary the forcenecessary to hold the wand assembly in any closed or extended positionincluding the intermediate positions.

Still referring to FIG. 10, lighter 2 is shown with wand assembly 10 inthe closed position. In this position, follower end 122 is biased intofirst detent 134 a, and located at a first radial distance R1 from pivotaxis P. Because first detent 134 a includes sloped surface portion 135,wand assembly 10 must be pivoted a predetermined distance, preferablyabout 40°, before hook 126 is disengaged from hook 62. When wandassembly 10 is in the closed position, or pivoted less than thepredetermined distance, hook 126 is aligned with hook 62 of actuatingmember 25 such that hook walls 62 a and 126 a will engage upondepression of actuating member 25. Hooks 62, 126 may be spaced apart orotherwise configured so that actuating member 25 may be partiallydepressed, but not depressed sufficiently to ignite lighter 2, oralternatively so that actuating member 25 may not be depressed at all.

Hook walls 62 a and 126 a contact when hooks 62, 126 engage one another.Hook walls 62 a, 126 a are shown oriented substantially parallel tovertical axis V, which is perpendicular to longitudinal axis L and pivotaxis P. This configuration of the hooks 62, 126 increases the forcenecessary to depress the actuating member 25 sufficiently to ignite thelighter.

Hook walls 62 a, 126 a may alternatively be angled. For example, hookwalls 62 a, 126 a may be angled to be substantially parallel to line B1,which is angularly offset from vertical axis V by angle α, such thathooks 62, 126 interlock. Such a configuration of the hooks wouldincrease the force necessary to depress the actuating member 25sufficiently to ignite the lighter. The force necessary in theinterlocked configuration may be greater than the force necessary in thevertical wall configuration.

Hook walls 62 a, 126 a may alternatively be angled to be substantiallyparallel to line B2, which is angularly offset from vertical axis V byangle δ. With application of a predetermined force, such hooks maydeflect and disengage. Such a configuration of the hooks would increasethe force necessary to depress the actuating member 25 sufficiently toignite the lighter, but to a lesser extent than if the walls 62 a and126 a were vertical or at an angle γ.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 of hooks 62 and 126,actuating member 25 may be depressed sufficiently to ignite lighter 2when wand assembly 10 is in the closed position, however a greateramount of force will be required to do so than when wand assembly 10 ispivoted to the extended position or one of the intermediate positionstherebetween due to the interaction between hooks 62 and 126. The amountof additional force required to depress actuating member 25 sufficientlyto ignite lighter 2 when wand assembly 10 is in the closed position mayvary, for example, by varying the angle of hook walls 62 a, 126 a and/orvarying the materials used to form hooks 62, 126.

Wand assembly 10 provides resistance against unintentional pivoting whenin the closed position, because pivoting of wand assembly 10 toward theextended position, or in first direction W1, would cause follower end122 to ride along sloped surface 135 and compress biasing member 128.Thus, in order to pivot wand assembly 10 when wand assembly 10 ispositioned in the closed position, a user must apply enough force towand assembly 10 to cause follower end 122 to ride on sloped surface 135and compress biasing member 128.

One of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate that theamount of force required may also be varied by selecting a biasingmember 128 with a specific spring constant and/or modifying the geometryof camming surface 124. As a result of this feature, the wand assembly10 is releasably retained in the closed position. Referring to FIG. 1,the lighter 2 may further include optional projections (not shown)within recess 4 f of the housing 4 for releasably retaining the wand 101in the closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 10A, 11 and 12, lighter 2 is shown with wand assembly10 located in partially-extended or intermediate positions. In theinitial position, as shown in FIG. 10, the wand assembly has a centralaxis CW1. In the first intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 10A, wandassembly 10 is pivoted through a pivot angle of α of about 20°. Thepivot angle α is defined between the wand 101 initial central axis CW1and the central axis CW20 of the illustrated position with the followerend 122 (as shown in phantom) in the first detent 134 a.

In the second intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 11, wand assembly10 is pivoted through a pivot angle of α of about 45°. The pivot angle αis defined between the wand 101 initial central axis CW1 and the centralaxis CW45 of the illustrated position with the follower end 122 in thesecond detent 134 b.

In the third intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 12, wand assembly10 is pivoted through a pivot angle of α of about 90°. The pivot angle αis defined between the wand 101 initial central axis CW1 and the centralaxis CW90 of the illustrated position with the follower end 122 in thethird detent 134 c.

In the fourth intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 14, wand assembly10 is pivoted through a pivot angle of α of about 135°. The pivot angleα is defined between the wand 101 initial central axis CW1 and thecentral axis CW135 of the illustrated position with the follower end 122between the third detent 134 c and the fourth detent 134 d.

In the fully-extended position, as shown in FIG. 13, wand assembly 10 ispivoted through a pivot angle α of about 160°. The pivot angle ÿ isdefined between the wand 101 initial central axis CW1 and the centralaxis CW160 of the illustrated position with the follower end 122 in thefourth detent 134 d.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the cam follower 116 is shown in solid lines inits initial position, and shown in phantom lines in its radiallydisplaced position. With the wand 101 at an angle of 20° from itsinitial position, follower end 122 (as shown in phantom) is in contactwith sloped surface 135 within detent 134 a and cam follower 116 isslightly rotated about boss 117, however hook 126 (as shown in phantom)and hook 62 are sufficiently aligned to engage upon depression ofactuating member 25. Thus, in this position, the actuating member 25cannot be moved sufficiently to ignite lighter 2 without applying aforce greater than the force sufficient to ignite the lighter in theremaining intermediate positions (shown in FIGS. 11-12 and 14) and theclosed position (shown in FIG. 13).

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, in these positions the follower end 122 isdisposed within the second, third and fourth detents 134 b, 134 c, 134d, respectively, which are all located at a second radial distance R2from pivot axis P. Second radial distance R2 is greater than firstradial distance R1 (shown in FIG. 10) and, as a result, when wandassembly 10 is pivoted from the closed position, discussed above, to theintermediate and fully-extended positions, follower end 122 is displacedtoward the first end 8 (shown in FIG. 1) of housing 4, causing camfollower 116 to rotate clockwise about boss 117 and rotate hook 126 outof alignment with hook 62. Thus, in these three positions, hook walls 62a and 126 a will not engage upon full depression of actuating member 25.In FIG. 11, the cam follower 116 is shown in phantom lines in itsinitial position, and shown in solid lines in its radially displacedposition. In FIGS. 12-14, the cam follower 116 is shown in its otherradially displaced positions.

Wand assembly 10 exhibits variable resistance against pivoting. Whenwand assembly 10 is in one or more high-wand-force positions, such as,for example, the closed position (shown in FIG. 10), extended position(shown in FIG. 13), and certain intermediate positions (shown in FIGS.11-12) between the closed and extended positions, follower end 122contacts one of the detents 134 a-d. When in any of thesehigh-wand-force positions, pivoting of wand assembly 10 causes firstportion 119 to compress biasing member 128 as follower end 122 ridesalong camming surface 124 and is displaced radially outward by thesecond, third or fourth detents, 134 b, 134 c, 134 d, respectively. Theforce necessary for wand movement from the closed position is less thatthe force necessary for wand movement from the positions shown in FIGS.11-13 since the detent 134 a has a sloped surface portion 135. Asmentioned above, a user must therefore exert sufficient force on wandassembly 10 to compress biasing member 128 and move follower 122 out ofthe detent, in order to pivot wand assembly 10. Lighter 2 can thus beselectively and releasably positioned or retained and stabilized atwhichever of the intermediate or extended positions is most suitable.For example, the intermediate positions may be suitable for lightingjarred candles, and the fully-extended position may be suitable forlighting a barbeque grill. One of ordinary skill in the art will knowand appreciate that cam surface 124 may be provided with any number ofdetents 134 a-d spaced apart at various intervals to provide a wandassembly 10 with any number and combination of different closed,intermediate, and fully-extended positions. One of ordinary skill in theart will also know and appreciate that any number of high-force andlow-wand-force positions may be located between the closed andfully-extended positions. Furthermore, the closed position may be ahigh-wand-force position or a low-wand-force position, and thefully-extended position may also be a high-force position or alow-wand-force position.

Referring to FIG. 14, lighter 2 is shown with wand assembly 10 in alow-wand-force position. In the low-wand-force position shown, wandassembly 10 is partially-extended and located at an angle of about 135°from the closed position. Follower end 122 is biased against cammingsurface 124 between the third detent 134 c and the fourth detent 134 dat point A, and is located at a third radial distance R3 from pivotaxis. Third radial distance R3 is the nominal radius of camming surface124 and thus, follower end 122 is located at third radial distance R3from pivot axis P whenever follower end 122 is not aligned with one ofthe detents 134 a-d. Third radial distance R3 is larger than firstradial distance R1 and second radial distance R2, and as a result,positions follower end 122 such that hook 126 is rotated out ofengagement with hook 62. Thus, when follower end 122 contacts cammingsurface 124 between the detents 134 a-d, actuating member 25 may bedepressed to ignite the lighter. As discussed above, actuating member 25is therefore only immobilized sufficiently to prevent ignition oflighter 2 when wand assembly 10 is in or within about 40° of the closedposition. In an alternative embodiment, this angle may vary.

Still referring to FIG. 14, wand assembly 10 is shown in alow-wand-force position, where follower end 122 contacts cam surface 124between detents 134 c and d. Follower end 122 is thus out of contactwith detents 134 c and d. In this position, less force is required topivot wand assembly 10 than when in a high-wand-force position withfollower end 122 received in detents 134 a-d. When in a low-wand-forceposition, wand assembly 10 still provides some resistance againstpivoting because biasing member 128 is at its maximum state ofcompression and therefore biases follower end 122 against cammingsurface 124, and creates frictional forces between follower end 122 andcamming surface 124 upon pivoting of wand assembly 10. Thus, when wandassembly 10 is in a low-wand-force position, a user must only apply alow force sufficient to overcome these frictional forces in order topivot wand assembly 10. The high-wand-force position requires more forceto pivot wand assembly 10 than the low-wand-force position because theuser must provide additional force to further compress biasing member128 and move the follower 122 out of the detents 134 a-d. The wandassembly 10 is similarly in low-wand-force positions when the follower122 is located between detents 134 a and b and detents 134 b and c.

The geometry of the detents 134 and the follower end 122 may be variedto increase or decrease the amount of force required to pivot wandassembly 10 when in a high-wand-force position. For example, the detentsmay be relatively deep and of a size and shape that closely matchesfollower end 122, thus requiring a large increase in force when in ahigh-wand-force position. Alternatively, the detents may be relativelyshallow and oversized with respect to follower end 122 to provide asmall increase in force when in a high-wand-force position.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 13, movement of the wand 101 in a seconddirection W2 opposite from the first direction W1 allows the wand 101 tobe moved toward the closed position. The wand 101 acts as discussedabove when moved toward the closed position, in that it is releasablyretained in the intermediate positions (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) duringmovement.

Referring again to FIG. 9A, one embodiment of a conduit 23 for use withlighter 2 of FIG. 1 is shown. Conduit 23 includes a flexible tube 140defining a channel 142 for fluidly connecting fuel supply unit 11 tonozzle 143. Flexibly tube 140 thus transports fuel F (as shown inFIG. 1) from the fuel supply unit 11 to nozzle 143. A suitable materialfor flexible tube 140 is plastic. An un-insulated, electricallyconductive wire 144 is disposed in channel 142, and extends from a firstend 146 of tube 140 to a second end 148 of tube 140. A suitable materialfor electrically conductive wire 144 is copper or the like. In thisembodiment, the wire 144 may be at least partially coiled. The coils maybe more closely packed in some sections than other sections. In analternative embodiment, the wire 144 may not be coiled. Fuel connector22 is coupled to first end 146 of tube 140. Nozzle 143 is connected tosecond end 148 of tube 140 by nozzle connector 147. Wire 144 thus actsas an electrical conductor to pass an electrical charge to nozzle 143 togenerate a spark to ignite the fuel. The wire 144 may also reinforceflexible tube 140 to provide resistance to kinking.

The conduit 23, connector 147 and nozzle 143 are supported within a pairof guide and insulator members 145, one being shown. One the pair ofmembers 145 are positioned around these components an isolator 146 isdisposed over the end of the members 145. Then the wand 101 is disposedthereon.

As shown in FIGS. 1-1B and 16, the tube 140 is supported within bore 20b of retainer 20 and joined to fuel connector 22 so that wire 144extends through fuel connector 22 and is in electrical contact withelectrode 15 b. The second end 148 of tube 140 is connected to nozzle143 located adjacent the tip 152 of wand 101. Tube 140 thus conveys fuelF from the fuel supply unit 11 to the nozzle 143 at tip 152 of wandassembly 10 via channel 142. Nozzle 143 may optionally include adiffuser 154, preferably in the form of a coil spring.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 11, conduit 23 and wire 28 run from the insideof housing 4, through at least a portion of wand assembly 10. Wire 28 iselectrically connected adjacent to the end of metal wand 101 coupled tobase member 102. Wire 28 may be at least partially coiled around tube140. The conduit 23 extends to the nozzle 143. To better facilitatepivoting of wand assembly 10 with respect to housing 4, the conduit 23and wire 28 extend through an aperture 109 in base member 102, andthrough the chamber 107 (as shown in FIG. 9) within base member 102.Aperture 109 is preferably spaced apart from pivot axis P. Thus, as wandassembly 10 pivots with respect to housing 4, conduit 23 and wire 28slide within arcuate slot 109 from end 109 a to end 109 b. The length ofconduit 23 and wire 28 also allow the wand 101 to pivot.

Once the wand assembly 10 is moved to the partially-extended orfully-extended positions, the lighter 2 may be operated in two differentmodes. Referring to FIG. 5, each mode is designed to resist undesiredoperation by unintended users in different ways. The first-operativemode or high-actuation-force mode (i.e., the high-force mode) and thesecond mode of operation or low-actuation-force mode (i.e., thelow-force mode) are configured so that one mode or the other may beused. The high-force mode of lighter 2 provides resistance toundesirable operation of the lighter by unintended users based primarilyon the physical differences, and, more particularly, the strengthcharacteristics of unintended users versus some intended users. In thismode, a user applies a high-actuation or high-operative force to theactuating member 25 in order to operate the lighter. Optionally, theforce which is necessary to operate the lighter 2 in this mode may begreater than unintended users can apply, but within the range which someintended users may apply.

The low-force mode of lighter 2 provides resistance to undesirableoperation of the lighter by unintended users based more on the cognitiveabilities of intended users than the high-force mode. More specifically,the second mode provides resistance due to a combination of cognitiveabilities and physical differences, more particularly the sizecharacteristics and dexterity between intended users and unintendedusers.

The low-force mode may rely on the user operating two components of thelighter to change the force, from the high-actuation force to thelow-actuation force, which is required to be applied to the actuatingmember to operate the lighter. The low-force mode may rely on a userrepositioning a plunger member 63 from a high-actuation-force positionto a low-actuation-force position. The user may move the plunger member63 by depressing a latch member 34. After moving the plunger member, theuser may operate the lighter by applying less force to the actuatingmember. The low-force mode may rely on a combination of the physical andcognitive differences between intended and unintended users such as bymodifying the shape, size or position of the latch member in relation tothe actuating member, or alternatively, or in addition to, modifying theforce and distance required to activate the latch member and theactuating member. Requiring the actuating member and latch member to beoperated in a particular sequence also may be used to achieve thedesired level of resistance to unintended operation.

Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a lighter 2 having a high-forcemode and a low-force mode will be described. The lighter of FIGS. 3 and5 has a movable plunger member 63, operatively associated with latchmember 34.

In an initial or rest position in the high-force mode, as shown in FIG.5, the plunger member 63, and more particularly portions 66 are disposedwithin portion 56 b of cutout 56 defined in actuating member 25. Thewall 66 a of plunger member 63 contacts vertical wall 56 c of slot 56and is thus in a high-actuation-force position. When a user attempts toactuate actuating member 25, vertical wall 66 c applies a force tovertical wall 66 a which applies a force to piston member 74, which thruwall 76 a moves to compress spring 80. Spring 80 applies a spring forceFS which opposes movement of the actuating member 25. In the initialposition, the spring 80 is uncompressed and has a length has a length ofD1.

In this embodiment, the length D1 is substantially equal to the spacebetween support 4 d and piston member 74 end wall 76 a. In anotherembodiment, the length D1 can be greater than this space so that thespring 80 is compressed and pre-loaded when installed or the length D1can be less than this space.

To actuate the lighter in this high-force mode, i.e., when the portions66 are disposed in slot portion 56 b, a user applies at least a firstactuating member force FT1 to the actuating member 25 which issubstantially equal to or greater than the sum of a spring force FS, andall additional opposing forces FOP. (not shown). The spring force FS maycomprise the force necessary to compress the spring 80. The opposingforces FOP may comprise the forces applied by the various other elementsand assemblies which are moved and activated in order to operate thelighter, such as the spring force from the return spring 30 (see FIG.1B) in piezoelectric unit 26, the force to compress spring 53, and thefrictional forces caused by the movements of the actuating member, andany other forces due to springs and biasing members which are part of oradded to the actuating member or actuating assembly, fuel container, orwhich are overcome to actuate the lighter. The particular forces FOPopposing operation of the lighter would depend upon the configurationand design of the lighter and thus will change from one lighter designto a different lighter design. In this mode, if the force applied to theactuating member is less than a first actuating member force FT1,ignition of the lighter does not occur.

As shown in FIG. 6, when a user applies a force to the actuating member25 at least substantially equal to or greater than the first actuatingmember force FT1, the actuating member 25 moves the distance d, and theplunger member 63 and piston member 74 compress spring 80. This movementof the actuating member 25, with reference to FIG. 1B, causes the upperand lower portions 26 a, 26 b of the piezoelectric unit 26 to compresstogether, thereby causing the cam member 32 on the upper portion 26 a tomove, which moves the valve actuator 14 to act on jet and valve assembly15 to move valve stem 15 a forward to release the fuel F fromcompartment 12 a. When the cam member 32 contacts the valve actuator 14electrical communication occurs between the piezoelectric unit 26 andthe wire 144 (as shown in FIG. 9A). Further depression of the actuatingmember 25 causes a hammer (not shown) within the piezoelectric unit tostrike a piezoelectric element (not shown), also within thepiezoelectric unit. Striking the piezoelectric element or crystal,produces an electrical impulse that is conducted along wire 28 (as shownin FIG. 1) to wand 101 to the tab to create a spark gap with nozzle 143.A spark also travels from the cam member 32 to valve actuator 14, thento valve stem 15 a and then to jet 15 a then electrode 15 b and wire 144and to connector 150, and nozzle 143. An electrical arc is generatedacross the gap between the nozzle 143 and the wand 101, thus ignitingthe escaping fuel.

In the high-actuation-force mode when the actuating member 25 isdepressed, the spring 80 has a length D2 (as shown in FIG. 6) less thanthe length D1 (as shown in FIG. 5). During this mode of operation, thelatch member 34 remains substantially in the original position and boss36 a does not hinder actuating member 25 movement due to its locationand forward movement in slot 60.

When the actuating member 25 is released, the return spring 30 (as shownin FIG. 1B) within the piezoelectric mechanism 26 and the springs 53 and80 move or assist in moving the piston member 74, plunger member 63 andactuating member 25 into their initial, at rest, positions. Spring 16(as shown in FIG. 1B) biases valve actuator 14 to close jet and valveassembly 15 and shut off the supply of fuel. This extinguishes the flameemitted by the lighter. As a result, upon release of the actuatingmember 25, the lighter automatically returns to the initial state, wherethe plunger member 63 remains in the high-actuation-force position (asshown in FIG. 5), which requires a high-actuation-force to actuate theactuating member.

The lighter may be designed so that a user would have to possess apredetermined strength level in order to ignite the lighter in thehigh-actuation-force mode. The lighter optionally may be configured sothat a user may ignite the lighter in the high-actuation-force mode witha single motion or a single finger.

Alternatively, if the intended user does not wish to use the lighter byapplying a high first actuating member force FT1 (i.e., thehigh-actuation-force) to the actuating member, the intended user mayoperate the lighter 2 in the low actuation-force mode (i.e., thelow-force mode), as depicted in FIG. 7. This mode of operation comprisesmultiple actuation movements, and in the embodiment shown, the userapplies two motions to move two components of the lighter for actuation.If the pivotal wand assembly 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) and the camfollower 116 are incorporated into the lighter, operation of the lighterin the low-actuation-force mode may include three motions, includingmoving the wand assembly to an extended position.

In the lighter of FIG. 7, the low-force mode includes repositioning theplunger member 63 downward such that spring 80 does not oppose motion ofthe actuating member 25 to the same extent as in the high-force mode. Inthe low-force mode, a force substantially equal to or greater thansecond actuating member force FT2 (i.e., a low-actuation-force) isapplied to the actuating member 25 to ignite the lighter in conjunctionwith depressing the latch member. In this mode of operation, the secondactuating member force FT2 is preferably less, and optionallysignificantly less, than the first actuating member force FT1.

As shown in FIG. 7, to operate the lighter 2 in the low-force mode ofthis embodiment includes depressing the free end 36 of the latch member34 from the initial position (shown in phantom) toward the actuatingmember 25 to a depressed position. Due to the operative associationbetween the latch member 34 and the plunger member 63, downward movementof the latch member 34 moves boss 36 a which in turn moves front end ofthe plunger member 63 downward. When the latch member 34 and plungermember 63 are in their depressed positions, the recess 70 (as shown inFIG. 3) receives boss 36 a of latch member and recess 70 provides ahorizontal contact surface for the boss in this position.

The latch member may be partially or fully depressed with differentresults. Depending on the configuration of the lighter components, iflatch member is partially depressed, the wall 66 a may be in contactwith or adjacent the vertical wall 56 c. If the latch member 34 isdepressed so that the wall 66 a is in contact with or adjacent thevertical wall 56 c of the actuating member 25, the lighter 2 is still inthe high-force mode. If the latch member 34 is depressed so that thewall 66 a is equal to or below wall 56 c the lighter can slip into thelow-force mode or is in the low-force mode. In some configurations, thelighter may be designed so that when the latch member 34 is fullydepressed, the plunger member 63 is completely out of contact with(e.g., below) upper portion 46 (as shown in FIG. 4) of the actuatingmember 25.

The force applied to the actuating member in order to activate thelighter in the low-force mode, i.e., second actuating member force FT2,at least has to overcome the opposing forces FOP as discussed above toactuate the lighter. In addition, if the plunger member 63 contacts theactuating member 25, the second actuating member force must alsoovercome the friction forces generated by this contact during movementof the actuating member. The user, however, may not have to overcome theadditional spring force Fs (as shown in FIG. 5) applied by spring 80depending on whether the user partially or fully depresses the latchmember. If partially depressed, the mode of the lighter will depend onwhether vertical wall 66 a is contacting the vertical wall 56 c or theactuating member 25. In case the vertical wall 66 a contacts thevertical wall 56 c, the user may still have to overcome the high springforces due to the extensions 66 still being within the slot portion 56b.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the case of the member 63 contacts the uppersurface of the slot portion 56 a forces due to contact will have to beovercome. If fully depressed, the user may not have to overcome anyspring forces since the wall 66 a is out contact with wall 56 c. As aresult, the second actuating member force FT2 required for the low-forcemode is less than the first actuating member force FT1 required for thehigh-force mode. If the lighter is designed so that full depression ofthe latch member 34 moves the plunger member 63 out of contact with theactuating member 25, the spring force Fs (shown in FIG. 5) may besubstantially zero. Thus, a predetermined actuation force without forcesother than the spring force Fs may be substantially zero. The user,however, will have to apply a force sufficient to overcome the otherforces in the lighter to ignite the lighter.

In the low-force mode in the lighter as shown in FIG. 8, as theactuating member 25 is pressed gap g (shown in FIG. 7) decreases. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 8, the spring 80 is not compressed and hasits original length D1, piston 74 remains in its original position,spring 53 has been compressed and actuating member 25 moves with respectto extensions 66. This allows the lighter to be ignited in the low-forcemode. When the actuating member 25 and latch member 34 are released, thespring 30 within the piezoelectric mechanism and the return spring 53move or assist in moving the actuating member 25 into its initialposition. In addition, the leaf spring 42 and spring 92 move the latchmember 34 and the plunger member 63 back to their initial positions.Thus, the lighter automatically returns to the initial position, wherethe plunger member 63 is in a high-actuation-force position and thelighter requires a high-actuation force to operate.

Preferably, in order to perform the low-force mode, the user has topossess a predetermined level of dexterity and cognitive skills so thatdepression of the latch member 34 and movement of the actuating member25 are carried out in the correct sequence. In the low-force mode, auser may use a thumb to press latch member 34 and a different finger toapply the actuating member force. The lighter may be designed so thatthe actuating member force preferably is applied after the latch member34 is depressed so that a proper sequence is carried out to operate thelighter. Alternatively, another sequence can be used for actuation, andthe present invention is not limited to the sequences disclosed but alsoincludes such alternatives as contemplated by one of ordinary skill inthe art. For example, the sequence can be pulling the actuating memberpartially, depressing the latch member, and then pulling the actuatingmember the rest of the way. The lighter in the low-force mode also mayrely on the physical differences between intended and unintended users,for example, by controlling the spacing of the actuating member and thelatch member, or adjusting the operation forces, or shape and size ofthe latch member, actuating member or lighter.

In order to make the lighter so that it is not excessively difficult forsome intended users to actuate, the high-actuation force FT1 preferablyshould not be greater than a predetermined value. It is contemplatedthat for the lighter of FIG. 5, the preferred value for FT1 is less thanabout 10 kg and greater than about 5 kg, and more preferably less thanabout 8.5 kg and greater than about 6.5 kg. It is believed that such arange of force would not substantially negatively affect use by someintended users, and yet would provide the desired resistance tooperation by unintended users. These values are exemplary and theoperative force in the high-force mode may be more or less than theabove ranges.

One of ordinary skill in the art can readily appreciate that variousfactors can increase or decrease the high-actuation force which anintended user can comfortably apply to the actuating member. Thesefactors may include, for example, the leverage to pull or actuate theactuating member provided by the lighter design, the friction and springcoefficients of the lighter components, the actuating memberconfiguration, the complexity of the actuating member actuation motion,the location, size and shape of the components, intended speed ofactivation, and the characteristics of the intended user. For example,the location and/or relationship between the actuating member and thelatch member and whether the intended user has large or small hands.

The design of the internal assemblies, for example the configuration ofthe actuating assembly, the configuration of any linking mechanism, asdiscussed below, the number of springs and forces generated by thesprings all affect the force which a user applies to the actuatingmember in order to operate the lighter. For example, the forcerequirements for a actuating member which moves along a linear actuationpath may not equal the force requirements to move a actuating memberalong a non-linear actuation path. Actuation may require that a usermove the actuating member along multiple paths which may make actuationmore difficult. While the embodiments disclosed have shown the preferredactuating member with a linear actuation path, one of ordinary skill inthe art can readily appreciate that non-linear actuation paths arecontemplated by the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, in FIG. 7, the second actuating memberforce FT2 for the low-force mode is less than the first actuating memberforce, preferably, but not necessarily, by at least about 2 kg.Preferably in the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 7, the low-actuationforce FT2 is less than about 5 kg but greater than about 1 kg, and morepreferably greater than about 3.0 kg. These values are exemplary, asdiscussed above, and the present invention is not limited to thesevalues as the particular desirable values will depend upon the numerouslighter design factors outlined above and the desired level ofresistance to operation by unintended users.

One feature of the lighter 2 is that in the high-force mode multipleactuating operations may be performed so long as the user provides thenecessary actuation force. Another feature of the lighter 2 is that inthe low-force mode multiple actuating operations may be performed solong as the user depresses the latch member and provides the necessaryactuation force and motions required to ignite the lighter. Inparticular, if the lighter does not operate on the first attempt, theuser may re-attempt to produce a flame by actuating the actuating memberagain in the low-force mode if the user continues to depress the latchmember.

Referring to FIGS. 16 to 18A, an alternative embodiment of a lighteraccording to the present invention is shown. Lighter 202 issubstantially similar to lighter 2, shown in the previous Figs, withonly the relevant differences described herein in detail. For clarity,lighter 202 is shown with some of its parts removed. Lighter 202 mayinclude an inhibiting member 205 that extends from housing 204 and ismovable between a first position (shown in FIGS. 16-17A) and a secondposition (shown in FIGS. 18 and 18A). Moving the inhibiting member 205 apredetermined distance, for example, between the first position and thesecond position, may resist, obstruct and/or prevent the actuatingmember 225 from performing at least one of the steps required to ignitethe fuel to create a flame. For example, moving the inhibiting member205 a predetermined distance may resist, obstruct and/or prevent theactuating member 225 from causing fuel to be released at the nozzle (notshown) or from creating a spark proximate the nozzle (not shown), orboth.

According to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 18A,moving the inhibiting member 225 a predetermined distance increases thedifficulty of moving the actuating member 225 a sufficient distance toignite a flame. That is, moving the inhibiting member 225 apredetermined distance may resist the actuating member 225 from moving asufficient distance to ignite the flame, or alternatively, may blockand/or prevent the actuating member 225 from moving at all or may blockand/or prevent the actuating member 225 from moving a sufficientdistance. Inhibiting member 205 may include, or may be associated with,a blocking member 207 that is capable of engaging the actuating member225, thus increasing the difficulty of moving the actuating member 225.That is, the inhibiting member 205 may include, or may be associatedwith, a blocking member 207 that is capable of engaging the actuatingmember 225 to resist and/or prevent sufficient movement of the actuatingmember 225. As shown, the inhibiting member 205 may include a rod-likeshaft portion that extends through housing 204 and terminates withblocking member 207 near the actuating member 225. In the illustrativeembodiment shown, blocking member 207 is located in and slidable withina cavity 215 in actuating member 225, however other configurations arecontemplated (e.g., blocking member 207 may simply abut a surface ofactuating member 225, as shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG.19). Inhibiting member 205 and blocking member 207 may be monolithic, oralternatively, may be formed as two or more separate parts that areassociated with one another.

Inhibiting member 205 may be biased to the first position (shown inFIGS. 16-17A), such that inhibiting member 205 only resists and/orprevents operation of the actuating member 225 when a user, or otheroutside force, acts upon inhibiting member 205 to move inhibiting member205 the predetermined distance (e.g., to the second position shown inFIGS. 18 and 18A). A resilient element 209 (such as a coil spring, leafspring, elastomer, or other resilient element known in the art) may biasinhibiting member 205 to the first position. In the illustrativeembodiment of FIGS. 17-18A, a coil spring 209 extends between a shoulder211 located on inhibiting member 205 and a shoulder 213 located onactuating member 225. Alternatively, the resilient element 209 mayextend between a boss 215, or other member associated with housing 204,and inhibiting member 205, as shown in FIG. 19; however, any number ofstructures known to one of ordinary skill in the art may alternativelybe implemented to bias inhibiting member 205 to the first position.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 17-18A, the actuation member 225 mayneed to move at least a first distance in order to create a spark and/orto release fuel to ignite a flame. When the inhibiting member 205 is inthe first or initial position, shown in FIGS. 17 and 17A, a first gap D1equal to or greater than the first distance may exist between theactuation member 225 and the blocking member 207. When the inhibitingmember 205 is moved to the second position, shown in FIGS. 18 and 18A, asecond gap D2, smaller than the first gap D1, may exist between theactuation member 225 and the blocking member 207. Thus, when theinhibiting member 205 is moved to the second position, the actuatingmember 225 may be limited to moving a second distance (e.g.,approximately less than or equal to the second gap D2) which is lessthan the first distance and which is insufficient for the actuatingmember to create a spark and/or to release fuel.

Alternatively, the inhibiting member 205 may be operatively associatedwith a spring which is sized and configured to bear against theactuation member 225 so that in the first position the actuation member225 is capable of moving a distance sufficient to create a spark and/orto release fuel by a first actuation force. When the inhibiting member205 is moved to the second position, however, the spring is sized andconfigured to compress against the actuation member 225 so that a secondactuation force is required to create a spark and/or to release fuel,the second actuation force being more than the first actuation force.

Lighter 202 may also have a latch member 234, shown in FIG. 16, that ismovable by a user to selectively change the actuating member 225 from ahigh-force mode (in which a first actuating force is required to movethe actuating member 225 sufficiently to release fuel and/or to create aspark) to a low-force mode (in which a second, lesser, actuating forceis required to move the actuating member 225 sufficiently to releasefuel and/or to create a spark). The details of latch 234 and theassociated high-force and low-force modes are described in detail above.

Inhibiting member 205 may be located on a portion of housing 202 that auser might press against a generally stable surface (such as a table,wall, bed or their body) in order to apply additional force or leverageto actuating member 225 to actuate the lighter 202. For example, anunintended user may possess insufficient physical strength to move theactuating member 225 far enough to actuate the lighter 202. This may beespecially true when actuating member 225 is in the high-force mode,although it may also apply when actuating member is in the low-forcemode. The unintended user may attempt to press a portion of the housing202 against a stable surface in order to apply their body weight or togain leverage to apply a larger force to the actuating member 225 toapply additional force to the actuating member 225 to operate thelighter. Inhibiting member 205 preferably extends from the portion ofhousing 202 that a user would typically apply to such a surface. Forexample, actuating member 225 may move along an actuation axis 217(straight or curved), and the inhibiting member 205 may extend from asurface of the housing 204 that is substantially normal to the actuationaxis 217. Additionally or alternatively, inhibiting member 205 may movealong an inhibiting axis 219 (straight or curved), which may besubstantially parallel to the actuation axis 217. Moreover, actuatingmember 225 and inhibiting member 205 may move in directions that aresubstantially opposite one another. As shown in FIG. 16, housing 204 mayinclude a proximal end 204 a and a distal end 204 b, and the inhibitingmember 205 may extend from the proximal end 204 a. The proximal end 204a may be substantially blunt or planar, as shown, although otherconfigurations are contemplated.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, a contact surface 221, such as an enlargedbutton or pad, may be associated with inhibiting member 205. Theenlarged contact surface 221 acts to increase the overall surface areaof the inhibiting member 205. Contact surface 221 preferably covers morethan about half of the distal end 204 a of the housing 204, and morepreferably, covers substantially the entire distal end 204 a, in whichcase, contact surface 221 may serve as the base of the lighter 202.Apertures of various shapes and sizes may be provided in contact surface221. Contact surface 221 may be formed monolithically with inhibitingmember 205, as shown in FIG. 20, or alternatively, may be a separatepiece that is connected to or otherwise associated with inhibitingmember 205. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 21, contact surface221 is a beam that acts on inhibiting member 205. As shown, the beam maybe pivotally or hingedly connected to the distal end 204 a of thehousing 204 by a pivot member 223. Alternatively, the contact surface221 may be a cantilever beam or may be rigidly or otherwise connected tohousing 204 by any means known in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 22A, and alternative embodiment of a lighterincluding the inhibiting member is shown as lighter 302. Lighter 302 isshown schematically with various components removed. The omittedcomponents may be substantially similar to those shown in FIGS. 1-15 anddescribed in connection therewith. Lighter 302 may be configured anddimensioned so that moving the inhibiting member 305 a predetermineddistance (such as from the first position shown in FIG. 22 to the secondposition shown in FIG. 22A) obstructs and/or blocks the actuating member325 from releasing enough fuel to achieve ignition and/or to sustain aflame at the nozzle. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 22A, a fuel conduit 323may connect fuel supply container 312 to the nozzle. When inhibitingmember 305 is moved to the second position, fuel may be substantiallyobstructed (i.e., substantially blocked and/or resisted) from flowingthrough at least a portion of conduit 323 so that ignition and/or asustained flame is not achieved at the nozzle. For example, conduit 323may include a first portion 323 a and a second portion 323 b, and apiston 327 may obstruct and/or block enough fuel from flowing from thefirst portion 323 a to the second portion 323 b so that ignition and/ora sustain flame is not achieved at the nozzle. Piston 327 may be locateddirectly inside the first portion 323 a and/or the second portion 323 b,or alternatively, may be located in a junction box 331 that connects thefirst portion 323 a to the second portion 323 b, as shown in FIGS. 22and 22A. Junction box 331 may include an inlet 331 a that is connectedto first portion 323 a and an outlet 331 b that is connected to secondportion 323 b. Piston 327 may include a stem portion 327 a that extendsthrough an orifice in junction box 331 and contacts inhibiting member305. A gasket or other type of seal may be provided at the interface ofstem portion 327 a and the orifice to prevent fuel from leaking throughthe orifice.

Piston 327 may be biased toward a first position, shown in FIG. 22, inwhich piston 327 is spaced from both the inlet 331 a and the outlet 331b, thereby allowing fuel to flow from first portion 323 a to the secondportion 323 b. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 22A, an elastic element 333,such as a coil spring or other elastic member known in the art, may biaspiston 327 to the first position. When inhibiting member 305 is moved apredetermined distance, such as to the second position shown in FIG. 22a, piston 327 may block inlet 331 a and/or outlet 331 b and consequentlyobstruct and/or block fuel flow through the second portion 323 b to thenozzle. As a result, pressing inhibiting member 305 the predetermineddistance while pulling actuating member 325 will result in substantiallyno fuel flow from the nozzle, and consequently will inhibit the creationof a flame at the nozzle. One of ordinary skill in the art will know andappreciate that any number of known valves may be provided incooperation with inhibiting member 305 to substantially obstruct and/orblock fuel flow to the nozzle when inhibiting member 305 is moved thepredetermined distance. U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,546 to LaForest et al. andU.S. Pat. No. 6,332,771 to Adams et al. illustrate additional structuresand methods for controlling fuel release that may be implemented inlighter 302; the entire contents of these two patents are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIGS. 23 to 25A illustrate further embodiments of the present invention,in which moving the inhibiting member a predetermined distance mayresist and/or prevent the actuating member from creating a spark toignite fuel released at the nozzle (e.g., it may redirect the spark to alocation away from the nozzle or completely prevent the creation of thespark). Referring specifically to the embodiment of FIGS. 23 and 23A,lighter 402 may include an electrical circuit that originates frompiezoelectric unit 426 and extends to a spark gap X between the nozzle443 and a tab 401 a formed on the conductive wand member 401 (only aportion of which is illustrated), or between optional conductivediffuser 454 and tab 401 a, as shown. The electrical circuit may includea first electrical pathway including a first electrical contact (shownas conductive cam member 432) located on piezoelectric unit 426, a wire444 and a nozzle 443 (and optionally a diffuser 454). The electricalcircuit may also include a second electrical pathway including a secondelectrical contact 429 located on the piezoelectric unit 426, a firstwire or contact strip 455 extending from the second electrical contact429 to a switch 459, and a second wire 465 extending from the switch 459to the conductive wand member 401. When the inhibiting member 405 islocated in the first position, shown in FIG. 23, the switch 459 may beclosed, such that energy created by the piezoelectric unit 426 may flowthrough the switch 459 from the first wire 455 to the second wire 465and eventually to the conductive wand member 401. Thus, when theinhibiting member 405 is in the first position and a user moves theactuating member 425 a sufficient distance, the piezoelectric unit 426may create an electrical impulse that travels through the firstelectrical pathway to the nozzle 443, and through the second electricalpathway to the tab 401 a, thereby creating an electrical arc or sparkacross spark gap X. The movement of the actuating member 425 may alsocause the release of fuel from the nozzle 443, resulting in the creationof a flame at the nozzle 443. Illustrative structures for controllingthe release of fuel are discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1-15,22 and 22A.

When, however, the inhibiting member 405 is moved a predetermineddistance (e.g., to the second position as shown in FIG. 23A) so that theswitch 459 becomes substantially opened, the second electricalpassageway becomes broken thus resisting and/or preventing the creationof a spark across spark gap X. More specifically, movement of theinhibiting member 405 may, for example, cause a second spark gap Y to becreated. Movement of the inhibiting member 405 causes the size of sparkgap Y to increase until the point where spark gap Y is sufficientlylarge (e.g. where spark gap Y becomes approximately twice as large asspark gap X). At which point, the current will no longer jump acrossspark gap Y and no spark will be generated proximate the nozzle 443 toignite the released fuel. Preferably, spark gap Y may becomeapproximately twice as large as the gap across the piezoelectric crystalor more for the spark to be generated across the piezoelectric crystal.

As shown in FIG. 23, the switch 459 may include a conductive disk 467that may be biased into electrical contact with the second wire 465 by aconductive spring 469 or other resilient element. Conductive spring 469may also be in electrical contact with the first wire 455, therebyelectrically connecting the first wire 455 to the second wire 465 whenthe inhibiting member 405 is in the first position, shown in FIG. 23.Conductive disk 467 may include, or otherwise be associated with, a stemportion 467 a that is movable by the inhibiting member 405. When theinhibiting member 405 is moved to the second position, shown in FIG.23A, the inhibiting member 405 may act against the stem portion 467 aand move the conductive disk 467 to a corresponding second position,which may be spaced from the second wire 465, creating a second sparkgap Y. Spark gaps X and Y, and the piezoelectric unit 426, may beconfigured such that the resistance across spark gap Y is greater thanthe resistance across spark gap X, resulting in a short at thepiezoelectric crystal instead of at spark gap X. As a result, no sparkwill be created at nozzle 443 to ignite the released fuel. One ofordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate that any number ofswitches known in the art may alternatively be substituted for switch459. In addition, switch 459 may alternatively or additionally beprovided in the first electrical pathway or in some other part of theelectrical circuit.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 24A, another embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in which the piezoelectric unit 526 may be associatedwith a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit. Asshown in FIG. 24, the first electrical circuit may originate with thepiezoelectric unit 526 and include a spark gap X formed between thenozzle 543 and the tab 501 a of the conductive wand member 501 (onlypartially illustrated), or optionally between a diffuser 554 and the tab501 a. More specifically, the first electrical circuit may include afirst electrical pathway including a first electrical contact (shown asconductive cam member 532) located on the piezoelectric unit 526, afirst wire 544 including a first portion 544 a and a second portion 544b, and the nozzle 543 (and optionally the diffuser 554). When theinhibiting member 505 is located in the first position, the firstportion 544 a and the second portion 544 b of the first wire 544 may beelectrically connected to one another by a first conductive strip 575 orother conductive member located on the inhibiting member 505. The firstelectrical circuit may also include a second electrical pathwayincluding a second electrical contact 529 located on the piezoelectricunit 526, a second wire 577 including a first portion 577 a and a secondportion 577 b, and the conductive wand member 501. When the inhibitingmember 505 is located in the first position, the first portion 577 a andthe second portion 577 b of the second wire 577 may be electricallyconnected to one another by a second conductive strip 579 or otherconductive member located on the inhibiting member 505.

Referring to FIG. 24A, the second electrical circuit may originate withthe first electrical contact (shown as conductive cam member 532) on thepiezoelectric unit 526, and include the first portion 544 a of the firstwire 544, the first portion 577 a of the second wire 577, and the secondelectrical contact 529 located on the piezoelectric unit 526. When theinhibiting member 505 is moved a predetermined distance (e.g., moved tothe second position shown in FIG. 24A), the first portion 544 a and thefirst portion 577 a may be electrically connected to one another by thefirst conductive strip 575 located on the inhibiting member 505, therebyforming a closed circuit between the first electrical contact and thesecond electrical contact of the piezoelectric unit 526. As is apparentfrom FIGS. 24 and 24A, the first electrical circuit may include, or mayshare components with, the second electrical circuit. Alternatively, thefirst and the second electrical circuits may be completely separate.

When the inhibiting member 505 is located in the first position, shownin FIG. 24, the first and the second conductive strips 575, 579 mayconnect the first portions 544 a, 577 a to the second portions 544 b,577 b, of the first and the second wires 544, 577, respectively, therebyclosing the first electrical circuit (and also opening the secondelectrical circuit). Accordingly, when the piezoelectric unit 526 isoperated with the inhibiting member 505 in the first position (e.g., bymoving the actuating member 525 a sufficient distance), an electricalimpulse may be generated that travels through the first and the secondelectrical pathways and creates an arc or spark across spark gap X. Thisspark may ignite the fuel that is released from the nozzle 543 to createa flame. Illustrative structures for releasing the fuel are discussedabove in connection with FIGS. 1-15, 22, 22A. Moving the inhibitingmember a predetermined distance (e.g., to the second position shown inFIG. 24A) may move the first and/or the second conductive strips 575,579 to open the first electrical circuit and close the second electricalcircuit. In this case, operating the piezoelectric unit may create anelectrical impulse that travels through the second electrical circuitfrom the first electrical contact 532 on the piezoelectric unit 526 tothe second electrical contact 529. Accordingly, no spark will begenerated proximate the nozzle 543.

Referring to FIGS. 25 and 25A, another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. According to this embodiment, thepiezoelectric unit 626 may be associated with a first electrical circuitand a second electrical circuit. The first electrical circuit mayinclude a first electrical pathway that originates at a first electricalcontact 632 of the piezoelectric unit 626, and includes a wire 644 thatextends to the conductive nozzle 643 (and optionally a diffuser 654).The first electrical circuit may also include a second electricalpathway including a second electrical contact 629 located on thepiezoelectric unit 626, and a second wire 665 extending from the secondelectrical contact 629 to the conductive wand member 601. The firstelectrical circuit, comprised of the first and the second electricalpathways, may form a closed circuit including the piezoelectric unit 626and first spark gap X. The first electrical circuit may have a “firstresistance” that is substantially constant. The second electricalcircuit may include a second wire 681 that includes a first portion 681a and a second portion 681 b. The first portion 681 a may beelectrically connected to the first electrical contact 632 of thepiezoelectric unit 626, and the second portion 681 b may be electricallyconnected to the second electrical contact 629 of the piezoelectric unit626. Intermediate terminals 683 a, 683 b may be formed on the first andthe second portions 681 a, 681 b, respectively, and may form a secondspark gap Y. Inhibiting member 605 may include a conductive strip 675that is movable relative to spark gap Y, for example, to vary theresistance of spark gap Y.

The resistance of the second electrical circuit, referred to as the“second resistance,” may vary depending on the position of theinhibiting member 605, and more specifically, the position of theconductive strip 675 in relation to spark gap Y. The distance betweenthe first and the second intermediate terminals 683 a, 683 b is normallylarger than the first spark gap X, and preferably approximately twice aslarge as spark gap X, so that the first resistance is less than thesecond resistance when the inhibiting member is in the first position,shown in FIG. 25. Thus, when the inhibiting member 605 is in the firstposition and the piezoelectric unit 626 is operated (e.g., by moving theactuating member, not shown), the electrical impulse generated by thepiezoelectric unit 626 will travel through the first electrical circuit(e.g., because the corresponding first resistance is less than thesecond resistance) and create an electrical arc or spark across thefirst spark gap X. The spark may ignite fuel that is released from thenozzle 643. Illustrative structures for releasing the fuel are discussedabove in connection with FIGS. 1-15, 22, and 22A. The second resistancemay alternatively be made greater than the first resistance by varyingthe materials and/or other properties of the first and the secondintermediate terminals 683 a, 683 b, and/or by modifying othercomponents of the second electrical circuit.

As the inhibiting member 605 is moved toward the second position shownin FIG. 25A, the conductive strip 675 may come into contact with theintermediate terminal 683 a, and approach the intermediate terminal 683b, consequently decreasing the size of second spark gap Y. As the sizeof second spark gap Y decreases, the second resistance also decreases.The first spark gap X and second spark gap Y may be configured anddimensioned such that once the inhibiting member 605 is moved apredetermined distance, the second resistance becomes less than thefirst resistance, causing the electrical impulse generated bypiezoelectric unit 626 to travel through the second electrical circuitand create a spark across the second spark gap Y instead of the firstspark gap X. Furthermore, once inhibiting member 605 is moved to thesecond position, as shown in FIG. 25A, the conductive strip 675 mayelectrically connect both the intermediate terminals 683 a, 683, therebyclosing second spark gap Y. In this case, operating the piezoelectricunit 626 may create an electrical impulse that travels through thesecond electrical circuit from the first electrical contact 632 on thepiezoelectric unit 626 to the second electrical contact 629.Accordingly, no current will flow through the first electrical circuit,and no spark will be generated proximate the nozzle 643. Otherstructures and methods of inhibiting creation of a spark proximate thenozzle 643 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,958 to Adams et al., theentire contents of which are incorporated herein.

While various descriptions of the present invention are described above,it should be understood that the various features of each embodiment maybe used singularly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, thisinvention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments depictedherein. Further, it should be understood that variations andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur tothose skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly,all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the artfrom the disclosure set forth herein which are within the scope andspirit of the present invention are to be included as furtherembodiments of the present invention.

1-76. (canceled)
 79. A lighter comprising: a housing having a supply offuel; a nozzle for releasing the fuel; an electrical circuit having aspark gap proximate the nozzle; an ignition mechanism for creating aspark across the spark gap; an actuating member extending from thehousing and movable to operate the ignition mechanism; and an inhibitingmember extending from the housing and movable from a first positionwhere a portion of the electrical circuit is closed to a second positionwhere the portion of the electrical circuit is open.
 80. The lighter ofclaim 79, wherein the inhibiting member is normally biased to the firstposition.
 81. The lighter of claim 80, further comprising an elasticelement for biasing the inhibiting member to the first position.
 82. Thelighter of claim 79, further comprising a first electrical pathwayextending from the ignition mechanism to a first terminal of the sparkgap, and a second electrical pathway extending from the ignitionmechanism to a second terminal of the spark gap, wherein at least one ofthe first and second electrical pathways is opened when the inhibitingmember is moved to the second position.
 83. The lighter of claim 82,further comprising a switch located in at least one of the first andsecond electrical pathways, wherein the switch is closed when theinhibiting member is in the first position, and the switch is open whenthe inhibiting member is in the second position.
 84. (canceled) 85.(canceled)
 86. (canceled)
 87. (canceled)
 88. The lighter of claim 79,further comprising a latch member movable by a user to selectivelychange the actuating member from a high-force mode to a low-force mode.89. The lighter of claim 88, wherein a first actuating force is requiredto move the actuating member when the actuating member is in thehigh-force mode, and a second actuating force is required to move theactuating member when the actuating member is in the low-force mode,with the first actuating force being greater than the second actuatingforce.
 90. The lighter of claim 79, wherein the actuating member ismovable in a first direction and the inhibiting member is movable in asecond direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. 91.The lighter of claim 79, wherein the actuating member is movable along afirst axis and the inhibiting member is movable along a second axis thatis substantially parallel to the first axis.
 92. The lighter of claim79, wherein the housing includes a proximal end and a distal end, andthe inhibiting member extends from the proximal end.
 93. The lighter ofclaim 92, wherein the proximal end is substantially blunt or planar. 94.The lighter of claim 92, wherein the actuating member is movable along afirst axis, and at least a portion of the proximal end is substantiallynormal to the first axis.
 95. The lighter of claim 92, furthercomprising a wand member extending from the distal end, wherein the wandmember is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. 96.The lighter of claim 79, further comprising an enlarged contact surfaceassociated with the inhibiting member, wherein the contact surfacecovers greater than about half of a proximal end of the housing. 97.(canceled)
 98. (canceled)
 99. (canceled)
 100. (canceled)
 101. (canceled)102. (canceled)
 103. A lighter comprising: a housing having a supply offuel; a nozzle for releasing the fuel; an ignition mechanism connectableto a first electrical circuit having a first electrical resistance and afirst spark gap proximate the nozzle and a second electrical circuithaving a second electrical resistance, an operative configuration and aninoperative configuration; an actuating member extending from thehousing and movable to operate the ignition mechanism; and an inhibitingmember extending from the housing and movable between a first positionwhere the second electrical circuit is inoperative and a second positionwhere the second electrical circuit is operative; wherein in theoperative configuration, the resistance of the second electrical circuitis less than the resistance of the first electrical pathway such thatthe electrical current generated by the ignition mechanism selectivelytravels in the second electrical pathway; wherein in the inoperativeconfiguration, the resistance of the second electrical pathway isgreater than the resistance of the first electrical pathway such thatthe electrical current generated by the ignition mechanism selectivelytravels in the first electrical pathway and jumps across the first sparkgap to form a spark to ignite the fuel.
 104. (canceled)
 105. (canceled)106. The lighter of claim 103, wherein the second electrical circuit hasa second spark gap when the inhibiting member is in the first position,and the second spark gap is larger than the first spark gap. 107.(canceled)
 108. The lighter of claim 106, wherein a portion of theinhibiting member closes the second spark gap when the inhibiting memberis in the second position.
 109. (canceled)
 110. The lighter of claim103, wherein the first substantially constant.
 111. The lighter of claim103, wherein the first electrical circuit is closed when the inhibitingmember is in the first position.
 112. The lighter of claim 103, whereinthe second electrical circuit is closed when the inhibiting member is inthe second position.
 113. (canceled)
 114. (canceled)
 115. (canceled)116. (canceled)
 117. (canceled)
 118. (canceled)
 119. The lighter ofclaim 103, wherein the actuating member is movable in a first directionand the inhibiting member is movable in a second direction that issubstantially opposite the first direction.
 120. (canceled) 121.(canceled)
 122. (canceled)
 123. (canceled)
 124. (canceled) 125.(canceled)
 126. (canceled)
 127. (canceled)
 128. (canceled) 129.(canceled)
 130. (canceled)
 131. A lighter comprising: a housing having asupply of fuel; a nozzle for releasing the fuel; an electrical circuithaving a spark gap proximate the nozzle; an ignition mechanism forgenerating a voltage; an actuating member extending from the housing andmovable to operate the ignition mechanism; and an inhibiting memberextending from the housing and movable from a first position to a secondposition; wherein the electrical circuit includes a first electricalpathway extending from the ignition mechanism to a first terminal of thespark gap, and a second electrical pathway extending from the ignitionmechanism to a second terminal of the spark gap, the first and secondelectrical pathways are closed when the inhibiting member is in a firstposition and at least one of the first and second electrical pathways isopened when the inhibiting member is in the second position.
 132. Thelighter of claim 131, wherein the first and second electrical pathwayseach include a conductive strip which closes the first and secondelectrical pathways when the inhibiting member is in the first position.133. (canceled)
 134. The lighter of claim 133, wherein the first andsecond electrical pathways each include a first wire and a second wirejoined by the conductive strips when the inhibiting member is in thefirst position.
 135. The lighter of claim 134, wherein one of the wiresof the first electrical pathway is joined to one of the wires of thesecond electrical pathway by one of the conductive strips when theinhibiting member is in the second position.
 136. (canceled) 137.(canceled)
 138. (canceled)
 139. (canceled)
 140. (canceled) 141.(canceled)
 142. (canceled)
 143. (canceled)
 144. (canceled) 145.(canceled)
 146. (canceled)
 147. (canceled)
 148. (canceled) 149.(canceled)
 150. (canceled)
 151. (canceled)
 152. (canceled) 153.(canceled)